Reconfigurable communications module

ABSTRACT

A reconfigurable communications module for power distribution and control apparatus is taught. Briefly stated, a communication module is rack insertable into a voltage regulator controller and has disposed therein a microprocessor board for communicating with host power distribution control apparatus and which also communicates with a transceiver board. The transceiver board may be one of several types of boards which provide a physical link with other equipment. Such boards may, for example, include a fiber optic, an RF based board, or a wire based board which is interchangeable in the communications module thereby allowing reconfiguration of the communication module to different media.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/414,066 filed Mar. 31, 1995, nowabandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to communications modules and moreparticularly to a communication module in which the physical link may bereconfigured to a fiber-optic or other communication medium interfacewhich may be used with voltage regulator controllers and other power anddistribution control apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that there is an increasing tendency to providecommunications capabilities with and between power distribution andcontrol apparatus. Typically, such distribution and control apparatusincludes power circuit breakers, switchgear, transformer tap systems,voltage regulator controllers and the like. Such communication schemestypically include interconnection between controllers, controller tosupervisory device (RTU) or a combination of the above in a networkconfiguration.

Therefore, it is necessary for any controller or distribution equipmentto have an appropriate communications module adapted to the medium orconnection scheme contemplated as well as the appropriate protocolscheme. This module typically allows for communication betweenproprietary communications schemes inherent in a particular controller.Therefore, an additional component must be added to any communicationsmodule inherent in a controller to thereafter allow direct interfacingthrough standard physical interfaces and communications protocols. Inthis regard, typical physical interfaces may use RS-232 or RS-485electrical wire connections or different communication media such asfiber optic transmission.

Unfortunately, it has been found that various physical interfaces andcommunications protocols are frequently used, all of which requirecompletely different communication modules in order to adapt toparticular interface requirements. This necessarily increasesengineering and manufacturing costs as well as the requirements forinventory and the like.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a communication module whichlowers the amount of engineering and manufacturing costs. It is alsodesirable and yet another object of the present invention to produce acommunications module which reduces inventory count.

Still another object and desirable feature is to have a communicationsmodule which is reconfigurable to accommodate different communicationsprotocol schemes or physical interface. It would also be advantageousand is an object of the present invention to produce a communicationsmodule whereby only substitution of a sub-component facilitatescommunication over different physical link/transmission media while theremainder of the unit which actually interacts with the power controlapparatus remains the same. It is also an object of the presentinvention to produce a communications module which has inherent thereina plurality of communications protocols thereby allowing selection froma predetermined menu without changeout of the communications module.

It is yet another object of the present invention and it is alsodesirable to produce a reconfigurable communication module forfacilitating communication to or between electric power controlapparatus, comprising a reconfigurable communication module adaptable tocommunicate over a plurality of communication mediums, thereconfigurable communication module connectable to the electric powercontrol apparatus, module communication processor board contained in thecommunication module for communicating with electric power controlapparatus and for also communicating with one of a group of replaceablemodule transceivers, a replaceable module transceiver board contained inthe communication module for communicating with the module communicationprocessor board and for facilitating external communication over apredetermined communications medium, the replaceable module transceiverboard consisting of one of a group of replaceable module transceiverboards, wherein each of the group of replaceable module transceiverboards is adapted to communicate over a different communications mediumor physical interface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be had to the accompanying Figures in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a fiber optic and wire basedmodule respectively according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are elevational views of the construction of thecommunication modules according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of a fiber optic communicationlink according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram indicating interconnection of RS-232 basedcommunication modules according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a modem based communication scheme according to thecommunication module of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 are exemplary block diagrams of different RS-485 networkconfigurations utilizing the communication module according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B there is shown communication modules10, 12 for fiber optic and wire interconnection respectively accordingto the present invention. Preliminarily, it is to be understood thatcommunication between power distribution and control apparatus andsupervisory computers and/or other power control apparatus is extremelyimportant for a variety of reasons, such reasons typically includingload shedding, load management, process control and the like. However,it has frequently been found that such communication is not alwaysbetween the same type of equipment or produced by the same manufacturer.Therefore, standard protocol schemes are frequently utilized. Further,physical plant requirements require the use of different types ofinterconnection methods or media (sometimes referred to as physicallinks) such as hard wire or fiber optic interconnection in a variety ofconfigurations as described more fully below with respect to FIGS. 3-6.In any event, it is effectively required that a manufacturer have acommunication module which is not only interconnectable with aparticular piece of control apparatus, but a multitude of such moduleshaving different configurations. Therefore, different situations andequipment typically require different physical links (i.e., hard-wiree.g. RS-232 or RS-485, fiber optic, RF, light such as infrared) anddifferent software based protocol schemes.

It has also been found that there are certain requirements which arebasic to each communication module regardless of the interconnectionmodality and thereby it is only necessary to adapt or modify thetransceiver to the particular physical or link layers.

Therefore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention acommunication module 10, 12 is preferably utilized with a voltageregulator control panel or tap changer. However, it is to be understoodthat other types of power control apparatus may also be utilizedtherewith such as, for example, circuit breakers, switchgear, currentinterrupters and the like. Accordingly, each communication module 10, 12is comprised of a communication module housing 14 which is sized andconfigured so as to be insertable into an exemplary voltage regulatorcontrol panel 11 which is shown in phantom.

Disposed on the face of each module 10, 12 are a plurality ofindicators. In this regard, indicator light 16 is preferably an LEDwhich indicates that the communication module 10, 12 is receiving power.Watch dog (Wdog) indicator 18 is configured so that when blinkingsteadily, it indicates that the communication module 10, 12microprocessor and software are functioning properly. Communicationlight 20 indicates that communication activity is actually taking placewith modules 10, 12. Test connector 22 is utilized to communicate withand test the communication module and at the particular piece ofequipment and in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is astandard subminiature connector. However, since such type of featuresare readily known and understood to one skilled in the art, a moredetailed description will not be had. Also on the face of eachcommunication module 10, 12 are receive (RxD) and transmit (Txd)indicators 24, 26 which indicate respectively that the communicationmodule 10, 12 is receiving or transmitting data.

It is to be understood that indicators 16-20, 24, and 26 are commonlyused in the industry to provide supervisory annunciation capability to amodule such as the communication module of the present invention andtherefore a more detailed description will not be had.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention there are a numberof transmission medium methods which may be utilized. Accordingly, fiberoptic communication module 10 has disposed on the front thereof fiberoptic input and fiber optic output connectors 28, 30 respectively whichfacilitate communication over a fiber optic media as described morefully below. Similarly, RS-232/485 communication module 12 has disposedon the face thereof a terminal block connector 32 which providescommunication according to RS-232 and 485 interface schemes over a wiremedium. However, it is to be understood that other physical interfacescan be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

Further, as can be seen from viewing FIGS. 1A and 1B, the overalldimensions and functionality of communication modules 10, 12 areidentical with the exception of the transmission medium (physical link)utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C there is shown elevational views ofthe fiber optic communication module 10 of the present invention. Inthis regard, FIG. 2A illustrates the use of two circuit boards in orderto form the communication module of the present invention. Moreparticularly, shown is a communication board 36 which may also bereferred to as a microprocessor board and a transceiver or fiber opticboard 38. Connecting the two boards 36, 38 together is cable 40. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention microprocessor board 36 isused with all communication modules (i.e., fiber optic communicationmodule 10, RS-232/485 communication module 12 or a wireless module--notshown).

Microprocessor board 36 connects directly to the voltage regulatorcontroller 11 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1A) or would interconnectdirectly with any other distribution control apparatus and in essenceoperates as an interface between transceiver board 38 and thedistribution and control apparatus (not shown). In this fashion,communication module housing 14 stays the same size and configurationregardless of the communication module utilized and only the transceiverboard 38 is changed to fit the various physical links or mediumsutilized for communication purposes. A faceplate 46 (FIG. 2C) isspecifically configured to suit the different transceivers 38 utilized.Moreover, although not required, in the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the communication module housing 14 is inserted intoa "rack" style chassis, sometimes referred to as an expansion rack whichis part of the voltage regulator controller 11. This therefore allowscommunication module 14 to be more easily field installable andinterchangeable.

Moreover, by use of the above features, substantial cost and logisticsavings are realized since an end user may change the transceiver 38 inthe field if so desired without purchasing or replacing the entirecommunication module or voltage regulator controller 11. This isparticularly advantageous to affect repairs due to the "modularity" ofthe communication module. The transceiver 38 as well as microprocessorboard 36 are connected to housing frame 41 by use of board fasteners 39,while module end cover 35 which is fastened to housing frame 41 bymodule end cover screws 37 encloses the microprocessor and transceiverboards 36, 38. The entire module 10 is fastened by module fasteners 34to the enclosure encompassing the voltage regulator controller ordistribution equipment (not shown).

Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention,microprocessor board 36 has embedded therein a number of differentcommunications protocols such as, for example, DNP 3.0. These differentprotocols are selected or enabled by the processor inherent in RegulatorControl Panel 11 (power distribution processor not shown). Therefore, bycommunication directly with Panel 11, the microprocessor board 36 is"directed" to enable the desired protocol. However, it is to beunderstood that in alternate embodiments, the "selection" may be made bydirectly communicating with the microprocessor board 36 or, for example,by specific jumper selection, etc. without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 there are shown differentinterconnecting schemes for use with the present invention. Accordingly,FIG. 3 shows the looping of a plurality of fiber optic communicationmodules 10a, 10b and 10c by use of fiber optic cable 45 which cooperateswith remote terminal unit (RTU) 42a. It is to be understood that in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention the RTU such as RTU 42amay be any supervisory device, such as a computer or the like whichcollects, interrogates or processes the data communicated to and fromeach communication module. Such RTUs are readily known and available toone skilled in the art and therefore a further description will not behad. As previously recited, a fiber optic communication module 10 isavailable in order to provide communications in electrically noisyenvironments, over significant distances or the like.

Similarly, different operating environments or physical spacing/distancerequirements dictate different types of mediums or physical links aswell as communications protocols. These become evident when considering,for example, the physical link found in the RS-232 type interface suchas found in FIG. 4 whereby simple wires use standard connectors 44 whereRS-232 limits the distance to a length of (50) feet. Alternatively,through use of modems 48 such as found in FIG. 5, RTU 42c maycommunicate to a communication module 12 over any desired length.

Referring to FIG. 6, the use of an RS-485 physical link is shown whichthereby allows interconnection to a plurality of communication modules12 in a plurality of networks such as a LOOP network, a STAR network oran OPEN-ENDED network as desired. In this manner, RTU Units 42d cancommunicate over twisted pair or other suitable cabling as desiredwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is to be understood that many variations of the present invention maybe practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, different modes of connection other than aribbon cable may be facilitated between the microprocessor board and thetransceiver board. Further, different indicator lights may be utilizedwhile, a different communication medium such as wireless orcommunication over light (i.e. infrared) may be used rather than a fiberoptic or RS-232/485 Type module as shown. Accordingly, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is not to be limited by thespecific embodiments described herein but rather by the claims appendedhereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reconfigurable communication module forfacilitating communication to or among electric power control apparatus,comprising:a reconfigurable communication module adaptable tocommunicate over a plurality of communication media, said reconfigurablecommunication module connectable to and collocated with said electricpower control apparatus; module communication means contained in saidcommunication module for communicating with said electric power controlapparatus and for also communicating with one of a group of replaceablemodule transceivers; a plurality of communications protocols embedded insaid reconfigurable communications module, wherein the modulecommunication means includes means responsive to said electric powercontrol apparatus for selecting one of the plurality of communicationsprotocols to be used for communicating with said electric power controlapparatus; replaceable module transceiver means contained in saidcommunication module for communicating with said module communicationmeans and for facilitating external communication over a predeterminedcommunications medium, said replaceable module transceiver meansconsisting of one of a group of replaceable module transceiver means,wherein each of said group of replaceable module transceiver means isadapted to communicate over a respectively different one of saidcommunications media.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein saidreplaceable module transceiver means is adapted so as to communicateover a fiber optic cable.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein saidreplaceable module transceiver means is adapted to communicate over anelectrical wire.
 4. A device according to claim 1 wherein saidreplaceable module transceiver means is adapted to communicate via RadioFrequency modulated signals.
 5. A device according to claim 1 whereinsaid replaceable module transceiver means is adapted to light basedcommunication.
 6. A device according to claim 3 wherein saidcommunication via an electrical wire is RS-232 and RS-485 based.
 7. Adevice according to claim 1 further comprising a second reconfigurablecommunication module, connected by one of said communication mediums tothe first reconfigurable communication module.
 8. A device according toclaim 1 further comprising a supervisory remote terminal unit, saidsupervisory remote terminal unit connected by one of said communicationmediums to said reconfigurable communication module.
 9. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said electric power control apparatus is avoltage regulator controller.
 10. A device according to claim 1 whereinsaid electric power control apparatus is a load tap changer controller.11. A device according to claim 1 wherein said electric power controlapparatus is a switchgear controller.
 12. A device according to claim 1wherein said electric power control apparatus is a circuit breaker. 13.A device according to claim 5 wherein said replaceable moduletransceiver means is adapted to communicate using infared light.
 14. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein said reconfigurable communicationmodule is disposed in a housing and wherein said housing is configuredso as to be insertable into an expansion rack contained in an electricpower control apparatus.
 15. A device according to claim 14 wherein saidelectric power control apparatus is a voltage regulator controller. 16.A reconfigurable communication module for facilitating communication toor among electric power control apparatus, comprising:a reconfigurablecommunication module adaptable to communicate over a plurality ofcommunication media, said reconfigurable communication moduleconnectable to and collocated with the electric power control apparatus;module communication means contained in said communication module forcommunicating with the electric power control apparatus and for alsocommunicating with one of a group of replaceable module transceivers; aplurality of communications protocols embedded in said reconfigurablecommunications module, wherein one of the plurality of communicationsprotocols to be used for communicating with the electric power controlapparatus is selected by one or more jumper selections; replaceablemodule transceiver means contained in said communication module forcommunicating with said module communication means and for facilitatingexternal communication over a predetermined communications medium, saidreplaceable module transceiver means consisting of one of a group ofreplaceable module transceiver means, wherein each of said group ofreplaceable module transceiver means is adapted to communicate over arespectively different one of said communications media.
 17. A deviceaccording to claim 16 wherein said replaceable module transceiver meansis adapted so as to communicate over a communication means selected froma group consisting of:fiber optic cable communications means; RS-232communication means; RS-485 communication means; radio Frequencycommunications means; and infrared light based communications means. 18.A device according to claim 16 further comprising a secondreconfigurable communication module, connected by one of saidcommunication media to the first reconfigurable communication module.19. A device according to claim 16 further comprising a supervisoryremote terminal unit, said supervisory remote terminal unit connected byone of said communication media to said reconfigurable communicationmodule.
 20. A device according to claim 16 wherein said electric powercontrol apparatus is selected from a group consisting of:a voltageregulator controller; a load tap changer controller; a switchgearcontroller; and a circuit breaker.